JANE GRIFFITHS has ridden into controversy after publicly proclaiming she was "unconvinced" about the safety benefits of cycle helmets.

The Reading East MP's

comments in the Evening Post immediately drew flak from veteran cycle helmet crusader Angie Lee, who was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her campaigning just five days ago.

But yesterday Ms Griffiths refused to back-pedal on the issue, claiming that while she would consider the need for children to wear helmets she did not believe they helped adults.

Miss Lee said she was "appalled" and "alarmed" at Ms Griffiths' stance because the number of children

admitted to Royal Berkshire Hospital had dropped by about half since the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust started

campaigning in 1992.

While other MPs had backed the trust's work, Ms Griffiths had never replied to

invitations to meet with safety campaigners, she added.

"She obviously has a personal view about helmets and that's fine, but as an elected member for Reading she really should be putting her own views aside and working for the welfare of her constituents," Miss Lee said.

"The evidence is totally behind the benefits of helmets.

"They make the difference between having a quality of life or not having a life of quality.

"If a person is not even

willing to hear the arguments then I think it's very sad."

Referring to her MBE, she added: "It does come at a time when there should not be any more doubt about [the safety benefits]."

The row was sparked by a letter to the Evening Post by failed council Conservative candidate Tim Milgate, after Ms Griffiths was seen cycling without a helmet.

In a reply she dismissed it as a politically-motivated attack, adding: "For the record, I do not use a cycle helmet as I remain unconvinced of the safety benefits, at least for adults."

Ms Griffiths added that

irresponsible drivers were responsible for killing and injuring cyclists and that

parents should concentrate on their children's road skills and the state of their bikes.

She remained defiant yesterday, saying adults did not need helmets because they were less likely to have accidents.

She said: "I am not convinced of their benefits for adults, although I am prepared to be convinced of their benefits for children.

"Children have different attention spans and are more likely to be distracted."

Ms Griffiths said she had

spoken to Miss Lee three or four years ago about the issue at one meeting. But she said she had not taken up any trust invitations because they had not been a priority.